HCA: Hermit Crab Association

I recently decided I'm thinking of getting some rabbits to raise for meat. Does anyone know of a good breed? I plan to keep them in a "rabbit tractor," and move them to fresh grass each day. Do some rabbits do better on a grass diet?

Also, not sure if this should be here or in chit chat

I’ve some experience with rabbits as pets but not as livestock. All rabbits do best with ample access to forage, either fresh grass or hay, alongside their usual commercial feed. Technically I think you can get them to slaughtering stage faster on a high-calorie pellet alone (I’m no expert so maybe look it up) but I think you’ll find they’re happier with something to chew on

I do recommend planning on hay in their diet to supplement, especially during the dry season or winter when the grass is growing more slowly. I hope you have lots of space for rotational grazing because the rabbits will decimate your yard if that’s their main food source


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Thank you!
I do plan on having hay always avalible to the rabbits, even during the summer when there is grass. I'm not too sure what kinds of hay are best for rabbits, but I plan on researching that more.
I've done a lot of research into whether or not to feed my rabbits the commercial pellets, and I've found that they can live off of hay/grass only, but they grow slower than if you were feeding them pellets. I don't think that I'll buy them any pellets, and plan to feed them mainly hay. I plan to supplement their diet with other foods too (such as various fruits and vegetables), but their main food will be hay.

JoeHermits wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:42 pm

Technically I think you can get them to slaughtering stage faster on a high-calorie pellet alone (I’m no expert so maybe look it up) but I think you’ll find they’re happier with something to chew on

I think your right, but rabbits are grazing animals. I also think that they would be happier with something to chew on during the day!

JoeHermits wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:42 pm

I hope you have lots of space for rotational grazing because the rabbits will decimate your yard if that’s their main food source

I will also give them hay, and I don't plan on having a giant amount of animals, so I don't think this would be a problem.

What breed(s) of rabbits have you kept?

Nothing crazy, just dwarf mixes and lops


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Oooh, lops are so cute! I'm thinking of getting some, even though I've read they aren't very good for meat. I might cross them with a better meat breed...

JoeHermits wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 25, 2025 5:42 pm

I hope you have lots of space for rotational grazing because the rabbits will decimate your yard if that’s their main food source

Any idea how many rabbits you could keep on an acere, without supplementing hay???

No, I’m no expert in rotational rabbit grazing


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That's fine! Thanks